OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, and TAROM, Romania’s national air transport company, announce the signing of a contract for the supply of sustainable fuel for aviation, a first for Romanian aviation. Starting from January 1, 2025, OMV Petrom will supply TAROM with SAF aviation fuel, at four airports in Romania, in compliance with the requirements of the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation: Henri Coandă Bucharest International Airport, Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, Traian Vuia Timișoara International Airport and Iași International Airport.
“We are pleased to continue the partnership with TAROM, a traditional partnership between two important Romanian companies. It strengthens our business relationship and underlines our commitment to transport sustainability. OMV Petrom is committed to applying European standards and reaching targets for a more sustainable future. As part of the 2030 Strategy, we are planning the largest investment in transport decarbonisation in Romania, of over 1 billion euros, including through the development of renewable fuels. This year, we made the final investment decision for the construction, at the Petrobrazi refinery, of a production capacity of 250 thousand tons/year of biodiesel and SAF, which is expected to enter production in 2028,” says Radu Căprău, member of the Directorate OMV Petrom, responsible for the Refining and Marketing activity.
TAROM, Romania’s national air transport company, becomes one of the first airlines in the region to align itself with European sustainability standards, thereby making a significant contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions in aviation. The company thus continues its sustainable transformation efforts, after obtaining, two years in a row, in 2022 and 2023, the first place for the average courier flight with the lowest CO2 emissions into the atmosphere in the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge competition, organized by the SkyTeam Alliance.
“We are at a time when sustainability is becoming a central factor for the entire airline industry, with the application of the SAF usage requirements from 2025. We are happy to be among the companies at the forefront of this effort, with the support of OMV Petrom. Accelerating the use of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we want to meet the environmental objectives set for 2030, and the introduction of SAF for the TAROM fleet represents our firm commitment to complying with the European objectives,” adds Costin Iordache, general manager of TAROM.
SAF, a fuel produced from renewable raw materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80% over its entire life cycle compared to conventional kerosene.
As part of the European Union’s “Fit for 55” initiative, the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation introduces a 2% SAF use requirement starting in 2025 and a gradual increase path to 70% by 2050 (6% in 2030). It also mandates fuel suppliers to place sustainable aviation product at airports in the European Union. This regulation, applicable to all Member States, aims to support the transition to low-emission aviation and encourages the use of SAF as the main decarbonisation element of the aviation sector.